Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-01-26
BEHIND THE SCENES.
notwithstanding Parts of a Per
fOrmance Denied the Public.

What was seen at a Theatrical He
notwithstanding Parts of a Per
formanee Denied the Public.
Now everybody. first act please,
remember your cues; that's the first thing
and you will have no trouble in learning
your part if you know when TO say it. ,"
The speaker was the distinguished
actressMiss Lillian Lewis, the scene on the
stage at Harper's theatre, and the audi
ence an ARGUS scribe, who through the
courtesy of Assistant Manager Mat:oX,
had been admitted TO the theatre, and
had taken seat where he would not De
observed by those on the stage. The
actress was addressing the members Of
her company, not any of whom had acted
with her before, and with all of
whom her acquaintance was new.
Now Mr.. Owen" your cue shall be
this, said the actress continuing, land
yours Miss St. Claire this" said the actress,
repeating several lines from the Creole
and emphasizing the last words.
The rehearsal then proceeded; Miss
Lewis directing every movement in per
son, occasionally interrupting the speaker
with such words as "a little more em>
phasis 10 that part, "a little more
humor there, more spirit in that last
line, that's your cue to pass to the left, -
etc. Miss Lewis has a pleasant way of
directing her company but when she says
certain thing must be so, she has an
air of determination in requesting its
performance that shows that she means
that it must be So and nothing else will
do. She is apparently as much of 3
success as a stage directress. as she IS
an actress. Her executive ability is
wonderful. She has an idea of every>
thing that is going on about the stage at
once. and every actor must do his or her
part in conformity with her ideas. and
nearly as well as she would do it herself
Miss Lewis very often changes
the company supporting her, and
those who witnessed the perform
ance Of The Creole" at the last
visit of her company to Rock Island,
will remember that there was not a
weak actor in the cast. She would
rather change her company every DAY
than not have every member Of il
drilled up 10 her standard of per
perfection. Manager Kneh has given
her splendid company for the season
she is about to enter upon, and all that
is required is few rehearshais ia order
that the members may become acquaint>
ed with her ideas. An accomplished and
experienced actor is not long in learning
his lines after be is familiar with his cues.
Miss Lewis knows every line and every
word of The Creole bF heart, being as
thoroughly familiar with the parts Of
every member of the company as she i
with her own. The stage business" o.
The Creole is all her own: every walk
across the stage; every position is accor
ding to her original Interpretation.
1t is a great habit among actors wher
failing st rehesrsals to say, We'll I'll b.
all right tonight, or whenever the publ,
entertainment IS 10 be given But thi
will not do with Miss Lewis. She insist
upon the same precision at rehcarsals, a
she does when the public are present
She goes through her part the same an
actors supporting her must 90 over thei
lines over end over again until she !
satisfied. The stage setting too must he
inst so and not an article OF furnitur,
must be moved from where she places it
She is methodical to the most minute de
tail.
"Pshaw," she said at one time durin.
the rehearsal alluded 10, do you sup
pose the audience would cali that a hug
When you hug me You must do it as
you meant it, aud not as if you are actin!
IN fear and trembling" Miss Levi
often speaks severely when obstinanc,
Is shown by members Of her company
but she was seen to clap her hands with
delight when thing was done 10 sui
her